The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has suspended Baale Folarin, Chief Kazeem Olayiwola, over allegations of selling a large portion of community land without the consent of the community members. The suspension was ordered by an ad hoc committee formed by the monarch to investigate the case.
Baale Folarin, located in Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo State, faced accusations of selling community land to a developer without the involvement of the affected community members. The suspension comes as a measure to address the issue and maintain order within the community.
This move follows a similar incident a few months ago when Mogaji Wale Oladoja was derobed for attempting to seal houses in a community in Akinyele Local Government with the intention of reclaiming the land on which the houses were built. Oladoja was later pardoned after expressing remorse and pledging to refrain from such actions.
In Chief Olayiwola’s case, efforts were made to dissuade him from his alleged actions, but the accusations persisted. At a meeting with him and his community members, the Olubadan’s ad hoc committee found his explanations lacking in credibility. Olayiwola’s non-committal response regarding a remedy for his actions also contributed to the decision to suspend him.
The suspension is aimed at addressing the allegations and maintaining the integrity of community leadership in accordance with established norms and rules.
